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Incident
Police Officer John Driscoll succumbed to injuries sustained when he fell from the running board of a car traveling on Summer Street in Holyoke at 10:00 pm. While on patrol on Main Street, Officer Driscoll witnessed a vehicle driving erratically. He commandeered a vehicle to pursue a car with a suspected drunk driver. After overtaking the suspect car, the vehicle began to slow down. Officer Driscoll lost his footing and fell from the car when he thought the vehicle had come to a complete stop on Summer Street. A reserve officer apprehended the driver on Cabot Street and returned to Summer Street, where he found Officer Driscoll in and out of consciousness. He was taken to the police station, where he lapsed into unconsciousness and died of his injuries two days later at the House of Providence Hospital. The driver of the car Officer Driscoll was pursuing was found guilty of operating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. His license and registration were revoked, and he was fined $100 for operating an automobile under the influence of liquor and $15 for drunkenness. Officer Driscoll had been with the Holyoke Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Driscoll gave the Holyoke Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Holyoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Driscoll.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Holyoke Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 3 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 35. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.2% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Tuesdays: 12%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Holyoke Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Holyoke Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Holyoke Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
